Yuletide Transforms Into a Nightmare for Individuals Living with Sound Sensitivity.
A 23-year-old hopes for seeing her family this Christmas, but says a key strategy she'll endure is by relying on her earplugs - notably for the main festive feast.
For the 23-year-old, this time of year often feels like a particularly difficult period as the sounds of other people chewing, drinking noisily and nose-blowing make her feel intense distress.
"I get this sensation of sudden panic, my every muscle will just tense up and it feels like I'm in a threatening situation, and I need to somehow control these sounds."
Lottie has lived with sound sensitivity since she was 16 and for her that causes the festive season "exceptionally stressful".
Misophonia is a reduced tolerance to particular auditory triggers, notably sounds made by those around you.
It is prevalent in the UK. Experts found nearly 20% people experience it.
Frequently it's sounds connected to mouth, throat or facial movements that lead to discomfort, as well as things like chewing, heavy breathing, and repetitive finger tapping.
A Source of Dread
The sufferer notes: "There are so many various auditory triggers at the holidays and that can be daunting and make you want to avoid it.
"My relatives are understanding, but I'm very aware that I don't want to upset others. It's like a really big battle of sacrificing my own sanity to guarantee others enjoy themselves."
So it's obvious why the most wonderful time of the year can transform into a stressful ordeal for affected individuals.
Sounds that may appear innocuous, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, unwrapping gifts, or enjoying festive food can provoke a visceral feeling that can even result in them skipping events entirely.
Jenna, a young adult, who has struggled with misophonia for over a decade, says currently her plan is to put her earphones in to cope. On any other day, she would frequently go in a different room to minimize triggering sounds.
She explains her condition is worse around people she's most comfortable with, so the holidays is always "difficult".
"People assume you to be around loved ones, and I wish to, but it's draining.
"The sensation is this sudden rage takes hold, which can feel shameful, or I'll feel stressed and begin to weep and then the stress response will take over.
"It may seem as if I'm being oversensitive and melodramatic, but it's tough to describe if you haven't felt it."
Three Ways to Cope
For those affected then there are a few methods you can attempt to manage the situation, based on advice from clinical psychologists.
- Visualise Something Else: Mental imagery is essential. Attempt to link the triggering sound affecting you with a neutral concept. For instance, try to envision someone's noisy drinking is just a gentle stream. This technique is to help your brain learn that the sound triggering you is neutral.
- Use Humor: Use lightheartedness and make the irritating noise into a game with the culprit. For instance, if someone is crunching loudly try mimicking the sound. By mimicking, rather than feeling like the sound is unwanted, you become an engaged person. And the game aspect should help redirect your focus and make you somewhat less sensitive.
- Craft a Story: One more method is to try to invent a reason about the reason someone creating the sound is doing it. Imagine if someone was making a nasal sound, it could be that they're not at their best or are troubled. The idea is re-framing the context of the sound. Although the sound stays the same, your understanding of it moves from being annoying, to feeling a slightly more compassionate about it.
